The best places in Berkshire for dog walks, according to readers

From recreational grounds near the town centre to wildlife trust sites, our readers have had their say on the best walking spots in the county. Here is what they said:
 

Reading

• Snelsmore Common - This 96 hectare wildlife trust is 4 miles north-west of Newbury. The common has a variety of woodland, heathland and wildlife to enjoy this summer. There are several walking trails and bridle paths in the common for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. 
• Sulham Woods - Sulham Woods recieved more than one vote from our readers. The 3.9-km circular trail takes an average of 1-hour to complete. Sulham Woods is an area of forestry and grassland. It is a popular place for hiking and walking.
• Coley Park fields - Coley Park is a recreation ground, voted by several readers as their favourite place for walking their dog. It is free to enter has a children's play area and space for recreational sports such as football, basketball and cricket.
• Beacon Hill - Climb up the hill to the iron age fort - considered one of the best known hill forts in England. At the top of the hill you will get views across the North Wessex Downs and Highclere Castle.

READ MORE: 15 National Trust sites, near Berkshire, for walks in nature

Bracknell

• Swinley Forest - Owned by the Crown Estate, Swinley Forest covers 2600 acres between Bracknell and Crowthorne. The park is dog friendly however dogs are not allowed in the playground. There are several walking trails that are great for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
• Lily Hill - Lily Hill Park is a 23-hectare public open space. The park has mnay features to enjoy on your nature walk including parkland, an orchard, woodland, Edwardian water garden, and animal trails. See England's longest picnic bench carved from a single piece of wood.
• Dinton Pastures - Dinton Pastures is a 350-acre country park in Wokingham. There are woodland areas, a meadow, and lakes to enjoy this summer. There is also a dog wash facility.

Windsor Castle from the Long Walk

Slough and Windsor

• Windsor Great Park and the Long Walk - Windsor Great Park and the Long Walk received many votes from our readers. Part of the Windsor Estate, Windsor Great Park offers a royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens. According to a recent study by Go Outdoors, Windsor Great Park had more than 5.4 million visitors in 2021.
• Slough Arm Canal - The Slough Arm is a canal branch from the Grand Union canal. The five-mile trail provides a great place for walking the dog along the waterway.
• Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens - The gardens offer formal and informal water features, rose garden, woodland and parkland areas for a stunning walk in nature. According to its website, April and May are the best months to visit the Memorial Gardens as early summer flowers are in bloom.
• Langley Park - According to its website, Langley Park country park is one of the county's "best kept secrets". The Temple Gardens offer "an explosion of colour" from April to June, with views of Windsor Castle. There is a tea room, playground and nature trails, making Langley Park popular for all the family.
• Black Park - Black Park had several votes from our readers. The park covers more than 500 acres of woodland, heathland and open space. The woodland trails offer a great place for wildlife spotting and dog walking. The playground and Go Ape course make it popular with younger visitors.
• Burnham Beeches - Visitors to Burnham Beeches can see plenty of wildlife as it is National Nature Reserve and conservation area. Visitors are reminded to take care and respect the conservation efforts. Admission is free and dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders are welcome.

Further afield

Our readers also mentioned several great walking spots just outside of Berkshire.

• The Ridgeway, Oxfordshire - The Ridgeway trail is 140km across scenic countryside from Wiltshire to Buckinghamshire. It passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.
• Fulmer Common Park, South Bucks - An area of parkland in South Buckinghamshire, Fulmer Common Park is an ideal green space for walking your dog, just outside of the town.
• Thames Footpath - Running through many areas of Berkshire, the River Thames footpath was a popular choice among readers. The 185-mile walk runs from London, through Berkshire, to the Cotswolds. Its website claims that the trail "passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities" - and we couldn't agree more.